Pioneer of the first professional home
recording studio, acoustic consultant and designer Eddie Veale has been recognized
for his contribution to the world of audio, as he receives a sound fellowship from the Association of Professional Recording Services
(APRS).
Veale principal of Stevenage-based Veale
Associates, was presented with the prestigious award, the first to be granted
to an acoustician, by music legend Sir George Martin, at a November luncheon to
recognize outstanding contribution to the art, science or business of recording.
In his own acceptance speech, fellow recipient, Pete Townshend of The Who, thanked Veale for his innovative approach
to studio design that led to the creation of Townshend’s floating Dutch barge
studio, created by Veale in the early 80s and still in use today.
Veale’s career began back in 1960 working on
noise control in passenger aircraft for De Havilland. A chance meeting with
John Lennon resulted in Veale designing and building the country’s first professional
home recording studio at Tittenhurst Park.
For Veale, who subsequently became an engineer
on the iconic ’ Imagine album, a new career unfolded. Today, he is acclaimed as
one of the UK’s most influential studio designers, responsible for the private
studios of George Harrison, Gus
Dudgeon, Eric Clapton, and Mike Oldfield among others, and studios at Sarm, The
Mill, Roundhouse, Dean Street, Trident, Decca Records, GMG Radio, Virgin,
Channel 4, and Carlton TV.
Other Veale firsts
include:
- Creation of the sweet spot the width of the console
- High level control room reference loud speaker monitor system
- Quadraphonic joystick pan pot
- Technology for measuring room acoustics
- First presenter driven radio station
- First Rock ‘n’ Roll film dubbing theatre for Advision
Veale
also introduced the Moog and ARP synthesizers to Europe, a move which
undoubtedly revolutionised the sound of music.
Accepting his APRS Sound Fellowship Veale
said: “I am greatly honored to receive this award, particularly as it marks a
first in the acoustic world. It is more than I could have imagined,
when I set out in business all those years ago, to be recognised alongside such
prestigious names as those already afforded the honour of the Fellowship. Many
thanks.“
